MUMBAI: India’s NSE index ended above the 9,300 level for the first time on Tuesday, helped by a string of strong quarterly results including from Reliance Industries Ltd and positive global cues.

The broader NSE index closed up 0.96 percent at 9,306.60. The index earlier hit a record high of 9,309.20, surpassing its previous milestone set on April 5.

The benchmark BSE index ended 0.97 percent higher at 29,943.24, its highest close since April 5.

Reliance Industries Ltd climbed as much as 3.6 percent to its highest since May 2008, making it the biggest gainer on the NSE index, after the oil-to-telecoms conglomerate on Monday posted a 12.8 pct rise in fourth-quarter profit, beating expectations. The rupee, meanwhile, strengthened to as much as 64.2750 per dollar, its highest since April 13, compared with its close at 64.44 on Monday.

Sentiment was also bolstered as Asian markets hit multi-year highs, reflecting the return of risk appetite after a centrist victory in the first round of the French presidential election.

“Global markets have been very positive on news from the French election,” said Tirthankar Patnaik, India strategist, Mizuho Bank.

Quarterly results have also been decent so far, adding to the optimism in the market, he said.

Energy and financials stocks were among the top gainers on the NSE index. Bharat Petroleum Ltd and Indian Oil Corp Ltd rose about 3 percent each, while ICICI Bank Ltd gained 1 percent.

Among other gainers, Indiabulls Housing Finance Ltd gained up to 3.3 percent to a record high, after reporting on Monday a 24 percent increase in March-quarter consolidated profit. Biocon Ltd jumped as much as 9.7 percent to a record high after the biopharmaceutical company said on Monday it was considering bonus share issue.

ACC Ltd, however, dropped more than 1 percent, having gained 7.5 percent in the previous session on the back of better-than-expected quarterly profit.—Reuters